Small Business Owner - Read This Or Fail!

Small business owners may face many financial challenges during these tough economic times. With your business going down, you're probably looking for a way to improve your sales. There are a lot of different ways to do it, but there is something in common with all good business owners in the world: they want the easiest and cheapest way to grow their business.

It doesn't matter how good you are, you always need a business plan to follow. A great idea would be just to Google it, you know, Google usually have all the answers. After that, you must determine how you are going to get the funds to expand, considering the credit crunch of the past several years, you must have the best credit to get a bank loan.

There is actually a way that many people do not think about - government agencies that deal government grants to help most everyone, from small businesses to home owners. Again, just Google it. Most of the times these grants, as opposed to loans, will never have to be paid back.

Considering that we are in the information age, the best place to start looking is on the Internet. There are more than enough websites out there that will administer outstanding advice as to what agency to check no matter what type of grant you want to get. Believe it or not , there are books that were specifically written just for government grants.

As you find the information where to start from, go to the agency's website and see the requirements they have in order to post an application for a government grant, check out if you do meet the requirements and then just sit down, breathe deeply, relax. Take note what it will take to do what you want to do. Make a list, then calculate costs and unexpected costs, get estimates, and after you finish all this, you my friend, are ready to apply for your government grant.

Oh yes, one more thing: if you are operating a small business then there are agencies out there just for small businesses like yours. Make your business plan a forward extension of your business. All agencies such as the small business administration have a world of information and tools to help you master this. If you are a small business then it is vital for you to start there.

The Unspoken Truth About Government Grants

Free government grants are money that is given to an individual a group or a business entity - new or existing - to accomplish an end result, usually some sort of community development. A grant of this particular type, can also be handed out as a part of a relief effort as well.

It never stops to amaze me, how much money the government hands out each year this way, and how most people are unaware of this huge amount of money. In fact, according to statistics, it's somewhere around $25 Billion, yes, BILLION! With this in mind, it's pretty clear why competition for free government money is so fierce

All free government money handouts in the form of a pure grant, involves a lot of research and even more paper work - through out the application process. NO EXCEPTION. It's also very important to realize that the person or entity attempting to qualify themselves to receive this kind of money must have the knowledge of this subject and the ability to see the big picture as well as it's small details.


Get this: In ALL cases there are going to be many parameters that must be taken as guidelines. It simply means that our government doesn't have an urge to simply and blindly hand it's money out. Like all people and organizations, they will want to see certain things done in the return for their money, i.e, the grant.

Let's get this straight : Your organization or business will have to undergo some types of adjustments or changes in order to become compliant to receive any kind of grant money. Keep in mind that the government is not going to allow us to spend the money in any other way we like!

In fact, be aware that you will sign an agreement with regards to just what the money from free government grants will be used for. If you deviate from that agreement, it's possible that the
government would seek the return of the grant money.

Government Grant Applications Are A Lot Simpler Than You Might Think!

We hear a lot of information in our daily life about government grants, and some of it might be "slightly" misleading. For example, we might hear that the government "likes" to hand out free grant money. It's true that the government has awarded billions of dollars to banks, to industries and to airlines but it's not because they enjoy giving away their precious money! Incidents such as these occur when the government "feels" it's the necessary thing to do.

Our government never awards grants to individuals just because they "like" it, do you know somebody that loves giving away his money for no good reason? I know I don't! (charity btw, is one heck of a good reason in my opinion!) For a matter of fact, the government has a mandate to award free grant money to qualified applicants. In order to get it, you want to do the simplest of the simple: submit that darn application!

Do Not Think That You Are Not Qualified For A U.S.A. Government Grant

Nobody, including the government, can possibly know your needs without you telling them! And nobody can tell them what you need better than you yourself! "How do I tell them", you might ask? With a simple application for a government grant, of course! Just think of the application as your communication tool with the government. It's your story, minus any hyperbole.

What Information Should I Fill In My Application?

For the thousands of different grants that you can apply for, each has their own set of requirements, and there are honest and decent resources available to help you with your preparation. The most important thing to know is that you want to be a through as you can possibly be.

Is It Possible To Apply For A Government Grant Online?

Nothing to do here except being really straightforward: YES YOU CAN! (in a Barack Obama Voice). Make sure to submit it ahead of the deadline and be as thorough as possible in order to speed up the application process.

Tell Me Where Can I Find An Outstanding Resource Regarding The Grant Requirements!

Small Business Grants - Do You Qualify?

When most people hear the words "government grants" they immediately think about starting a new business. And when they think of starting a new business, the first and only source of funding they think is available for them is from the federal Government. For an unknown reason, many people tend to see the federal grant programs as the most lucrative ones. Maybe because of all those TV infomercials late at night?

You might be surprised to discover, grants are given out by all three of the governing entities on a regular basis: the federal, state and local governments. It might be surprising how lucrative a grant you can get the area you live in, or perhaps your own town, even if it's strapped for cash.

If fact, a distressed city is more likely to hand out lucrative land grants to the good hands of an entrepreneur because they see this as an oustanding chance to give a boost to their economy. You see, your business can create jobs for many hard working and loyal residents, AND generate tax revenue for the city simultaneously! An absolute Win-Win situation!

There is nothing that can stop you from getting assistance from all three levels of government. Federal, state and local. The truly great thing about getting grants from a city is that if the grant doesn't already exist, you can petition the city to create one. YES! You heard me right! You can petition them through the city council for many things, like changing zoning variances for you. But keep this in mind: if you plan to go this route, you've got to make sure that your plan is REALLY GOOD, that it benefits the city, and that it benefits it well!

For those of you who don't have a business plan right now get this: is it possible for you to truly believe that both federal and state govenments have lists - yes, lists - of business types drawn up that they are ready waiting and willing to hand out government grants to start a business for? In many cases they are even going to provide you with the training, coaching and guidance you need to run a business, if, of course, you choose to start it now!

Free Government Grants - Fact, Fiction & Fraud

GOVERNMENT GRANT SCAM ALERT

You might find it hard to believe that as we speak, people are trying to take advantage of your lack of knowledge about free government grants to rip you off your hard earned money. It often starts with an "innocent" phone call to inform you that you have just been chosen to receive a free government grant, even though you never applied!

Unfortunately way too many people around the country fall for this fraud, which in most cases is performed by highly trained professionals, and THEY CAN come across as very, very convincing.

This one might shock you if you have fallen for that scam: there is no such thing as a Personal Assistance Grant Bureau of the US Federal Government! That's right! Many people fall for this one.

What they do next, is get their filthy paws all over your beloved money, and they have many, many ways to do so. Usually, the person who calls you, will identify him or herself as a respectful and loyal employee of the federal government, they will then ask for your bank account number, so they can easily "deposit the money".

Needless to say, they will do the exact opposite. Oh Yes! They are going to take your money! These sad, sad facts are almost funny considering how these clever scammers and fraudsters have gotten some of their victims to wire them cash.

Keep in mind though, that a person has to be in a very fragile state, desperate or perhaps gullible to go that far, and many people have done it!

Most of the time they cover it up by telling you that the expenses are for paying some fee. They either charge you a registration fee to their system, a S&H fee for a set of documents, a fee to write an application for the grant on your behalf, a wire transfer fee, or even a donation to children in needy countries. They have even gotten people to pay them taxes owned on the supposedly free government grants, even though they never filed an application for one!

The truth is, that because of the lagging economy and the new awareness that government grants and financial aid is available, the competition for each grant is hard. If we look at the statistics and face the real facts, for each grant available, there will most usually be several applications just waiting and pushing to try for it.

To find an alphabetical listing of federal personal assistance visit USA.gov website’s Government Benefits, Grants, and Financial Aid page.

Personal financial assistance available from the government includes:

• Social Security/Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid or State Social Services
• Student Loans
• Small Business Start-up Loans

Grant Kits - A Guide to Writing Grants

USING GRANT KITS FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION

If you've never written a grant proposal before, the job at hand can seem intimidating. Successful grant writers can tell you how hard it is to write a good document. Applying for a grant has many benefits, aside for the fact that the grant does not have to be repaid. But missing a grant opportunity can mean losing money that is important to you and having to give up on essential plans and dreams.

Grant kits and workshops make writing grants easier, so your chance of getting your grant significantly improves. If you are new to grant writing, or have applied for a grant in the past but have been rejected, grant kits are for you.

With grant kits you will learn about the key elements of a writing a winning grant proposal and gain invaluable insights from both experienced grant writers, and also from the foundations that approve the grants. Good grant resources will also keep you up to date on current and new grant opportunities, whether public, private or international, so you can get the money you need.

If you want to or need to apply for a grant, and cannot afford to hire a professional to write a good grant proposal for you, help yourself by getting all the advice you can from grant kits, books or workshops. When you are done, you can even sell the book to someone else or give it as a gift!

Government Grants For Minorities

GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR MINORITIES

Whether you need money to pay for housing, healthcare, education or to fund your small business, if you belong to a minority group, you are eligible for many government grants and benefits. Minority grants are especially available to:

• African Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Asian Americans
• Native Americans

Many grants and loans are available to low income families. Minority groups make up a large percentage of low income families, so they are in position to receive extra grant money. Other grants are available under equal opportunity initiatives. Most American minorities are in a position to benefit from minority grants. Often, government grants to minorities are used to support community development, outreach and related education efforts.

Many grants are available to women, from public, non profits and private organizations, especially to women from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds, so if you're a minority woman, you'll be especially lucky when it comes to applying for and receiving government grant money.